I originally started this sweater for Valentine's Day last year (yup, that's 2012). It originally had little hearts where the whales were. The night before, I tried it on, decided it didn't quite fit, and decided to frog the whole thing. In its next incarnation, the sweater became a whale sweater, and I love it in all its ridiculousness!

I knit up the front and back pretty quick, and then waited a whole year to do the sleeves.

What got me knitting it back up again was Design*Sponge's January Knitting Challenge. Alas, they announced the event halfway through the month, which isn't much time to knit much of anything. They also made it an Instagram challenge, and I don't have the phone with the internets. Nevertheless, it inspired me to get started again, and I finished this one in February. I'm also making some progress on my resolution to clean out my UFO/mend-it basket by the end of the year!

Here's the finished thing. The fit is great, it's warm and comfy, and absolutely silly. Soon to be a weekend favorite.

Mostly for my reference, but if anyone is interested in trying their own, let me know...CO:
CO 64 sts.
Join in the round. Work 10 rows in 1x1 rib.
Increase row: *k2, m1 by knitting into front and back of 3rd st, repeat from * to end (85).

Pattern:
Make intarsia. starting with p side. I never made a chart, but here's the whale pattern:

Shaping:
Decrease 1 sts each side after first three zig-zag lines.
Don't decrease after 2nd whale row
Increase 1 st on each side after next "small hearts" row
After 3rd whale row, work two rows (remembering to increase), and begin arm hole shaping:

Armhole shaping:
BO 2 sts at the beg of the next 2 rows (remembering to con't small hearts pattern)
Dec 1 st each side of every other row 3 times.

Back:
Place the stitches for the front on holder.
Work back stitches in pattern until armhole measures 6 1/2 inches (just after last row of "small hearts").
After 5th small heart section, BO 4 sts at the beg of next 6 rows.
BO remaining stitches.

Front:
Pick up front stitches from holder.
Work in pattern until armhole measures 4 1/2 inches (just before first row of "small hearts").
Work 2 sts, BO middle 10 sts.

Front Left and Right (do for one side, then repeat for other):
Next row: k3tog, work row.
Then: k2tog at beg of every other row on the neck side 3 times.

Next row: BO 4 sts at the beg of every other row next 3 rows.
BO remaining stitches.

Sleeves:
CO 30.
Work 10 rows in 1x1 rib.
Work remainder of sleeve in small hearts pattern.
Increase 1 st either side every 10 rows.
Work 70 rows.

Sleeve shaping:
BO 2 sts either side of next 2 rows.
Decrease one stitch either side every other row (RS) until 12 sts remain. BO.

Collar:
Pick up stitches from around neck opening.
Work 3 rows in 1x1 rib.
BO with a stretchy BO.

Finishing:
Sew sleeves up and sew to sweater.
Wear ridiculous whale sweater and show to friends.